Congrats – you’re moving home and starting a new adventure! However exciting it can be to know that you are making a new start you may begin to dread everything that comes with moving, including, arranging a removals team, organising your financials and of course, packing.
There’s nothing worse than arriving at your new home to find your favourite vase smashed in transit. That’s why having the right packing materials for your move is incredibly important – they need to be of good quality if you want to protect your valuables.
Understanding what materials you need
Depending on what you need to pack will depend on the types of packing materials that you need. We’re sorry to say but it’s not just as simple as shoving everything in a box and leaving – although some items can be packed this way. Items you may need to consider packing could be a sofa, mattress, clothes, breakables, electronics… the list goes on. See below for what packing items you may need and what you need them for.
Boxes
With any move it is likely you are going to need packing boxes. These come in all shapes and sizes, so it’s best to make a list before buying. You may need some smaller and larger ones to fit everything in. Also, look for sturdy corrugated cardboard, especially when packing heavy items. If you are unsure where to start you can always contact us for advice.
Tape
You will need to get some wide plastic shipping tape to make sure all your boxes are sealed shut and nothing falls out whilst you are moving.
You may also want to label your items – having some masking tape would also be handy for this.
Bubble Wrap
Believe it or not, there are many different types of bubble wrap. Some with larger bubbles, some with smaller bubbles and some just pockets of air. The larger wrap is generally used for bigger items such as furniture whilst smaller bubbles work well with mugs and dishes.
Make sure when wrapping your items, secure the bubble wrap with tape so your item doesn’t fall out.
Newspaper or Packing Paper
Having some packing paper to hand is a great alternative to using plastic for your more fragile belongings. Paper is great when scrunched up and stuffed inside cups or glasses or wrapped with several layers around items to keep them safe.
Scissors
One thing we don’t automatically think about is scissors. Having a good and comfortable pair of scissors is a must – let’s face it you will be using them a lot!
Marker Pens
Once you’ve packed each box, it is important that you label it. This will help you when it comes to unpacking. How you label your boxes is completely up to you. Some opt to just put the room that it belongs in whilst others also list the items in the box too.
We recommend writing your labels not only on the top but also on the sides of the boxes so you can see what’s in them without having to move them around.
Packing and Moving Team
The other alternative to packing yourself would be to get someone to do it for you. Most of us have busy lives and simply cannot find the time or have the inclination to go through your stuff. So why not choose our packing service instead? We can help to move your items safely from A to B with no fuss so you can carry on going through your moving home checklist in time for your move.
Don’t forget to also check out our guide on how to pack for moving home too.